Just in time for Thanksgiving, they are calling the campaign, “‘Thanks For Giving’ Homeless Pets A Chance At A Forever Home.”

Right now, there are 15 dogs and 75 cats available for adoption at Anne Arundel County Animal Control. In addition, a gerbil, a parakeet and two rats are also waiting for homes.Visit the Animal Control “Animals Here Now” webpage to see who might be waiting to become a member of your family.

Animal Control administrator Julie Small said that free adoption week effort is to help remind Anne Arundel residents that Animal Control does more than round up stray animals. They have a full adoption program. They also work with breed-specific rescues and the SPCA to try to find homes for the animals that come to the center.

Animals can come into custody at Animal Control in a variety of ways. Sometimes they are caught by Animal Control. If the animals don’t have a collar or a microchip, they go into the kennels to wait for their owners to come find them.

If no owner shows, the animals can then be put up for adoption.

In addition, animals arrive because owners give them up. Sometimes they can’t afford the food or veterinary bills. Sometimes they have to move and the new residence doesn’t allow pets. Sometimes someone gets a dog but recognizes they don’t have the time or patience to be a pet owner. These surrendered animals can be adopted out right away.

Small said that the techs that work at Animal Control do give the animals a once-over, but they are not seen or treated by a veterinarian. The animals do get vaccinated for rabies and distemper and they get a de-wormer. In addition—and for an additional fee—Animal Control can test for feline leukemia and heartworms. All animals are spayed or neutered before leaving animal control.

Adopters must go through a vetting process to ensure that the animals are going to a good home. If there are no animals at the center this week, get pre-screened while you are there so that when a match is available, you can just pick up your new family member with no wait. Generally, other animals in the home need to be licensed and up-to-date on vaccines; you need proper identification, and you need to prove you live where you say you live. Check here for specifics on what you need to be pre-screened.

Animal control is open:

Tuesdays-Fridays: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesdays: extended evening hours to 6 p.m.

Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Their location is 411 Maxwell Frye Road in Millersville.

For more information call 410-222-8900

Lets work together to give more animals a permanent home where they can
celebrate many more Thanksgivings to come!

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About Mitchelle Stephenson

I've gotta tell Mitchelle! Send your South County news tips, brag on your fab volunteers, talk traffic, police and fire or just say "howdy" to Mitchelle Stephenson, co-founding editor of the South River Source. Mitchelle@SouthRiverSource.com or reach me in person on mobile: 410-353-4706.